The ministers agreed to continue working on all the projects discussed in Cochabamba to move them forward.

Bolivia is interested in the Argentine radar systems and rocket launchers because they incorporate state-of-the-art technology, Ferreira told reporters.

“Surely, in terms of the budget we’ll have, we’ll be able to reach some agreements,” the Bolivian defense minister said.

Rossi, for his part, told the official Bolivian news agency ABI that the Argentine delegation did not travel to Bolivia “with a commercial spirit” but to “work on the idea of a strategic alliance between Argentina and Bolivia in the defense area.”

The ministers later met with President Evo Morales in Cochabamba.

Argentina and Bolivia are taking “an enormous step forward” in the defense area, Rossi told reporters following the meeting with the president.

Morales agrees that it is important to promote technological advances achieved in South America so the region can become more independent in terms of defense capabilities, Rossi said.

Bolivia and Argentina are working together to close the technology gap in the region’s defense industry, Rossi said.

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